ACCelerate in 8
ACCelerate in 8
Fast-Track Your Success at ACC
Welcome to ACCelerate in 8, launching Fall 2025—a new way to power through your courses, stay focused, and reach your goals faster. Imagine completing the same number of credit hours over a 16-week semester in just 8 weeks! Sound exciting? Here’s why this can make a huge difference for you.
What is ACCelerate in 8?Beginning in the fall of 2025, the majority of courses at ACC will switch to an 8-week format from the longstanding 16-week format. The fall and spring semesters will be split in half with a first 8-week and second 8-week session. When possible, students will take 8‑week courses instead of 16‑week courses, allowing them to focus on just two or three courses at a time. Students will still be able to complete the same number of hours across 16 weeks with the new 8‑week format. This new format will help students stay on track and graduate on time. The ACCelerate in 8 platform will ensure you stay on a path toward success! |
New 8-Week Format
|
The Benefits are Big!Studies show the benefits of 8‑week semesters are tremendous compared to the traditional
16‑week format. Top Three benefits of ACCelerate in 8
  
|
What about financial aid?With this new 8-week format, students will still be able to receive financial aid like they do with 16-week semesters. The only change will be with the disbursement schedules. Registration will work the same way as with 16-week semesters. Students will receive financial aid disbursements to cover each session for which they have registered. Students will still be able to complete the same number of hours across two, 8-week sessions as they would throughout a 16-week semester. What’s even better is that part-time students will have the ability at becoming full-time by simply taking two courses during each 8-week session, which provides numerous benefits for those requiring financial aid. |
Frequently Asked Questions
You would still be taking your desired number of hours total across a 16-week session, only you would take half in the first eight weeks and the other half in the second. Most courses are offered in 8-week terms, but some programs and courses are in a 16-week format due to high contact hours. With ACCelerate in 8, you will be able to focus on fewer courses at once. You would
still be taking your desired number of hours total across a 16-week semester, only
you would take half in the first eight weeks and the other half in the second. For
some programs and courses, the 8-week model has proven to have equivalent, and sometimes
enhanced, outcomes when compared to 16-week courses. Research does show that you will
be more likely to stay on track and graduate with the 8-week model.
Eight-week terms may make it possible to complete a degree faster, particularly if
you intend to enroll part-time. However, to get the most benefit from the compressed
timeframe, you should take approximately half the number of credits each 8-week term
that you would have taken in a semester.
It may seem that way at first because you will be completing the same course more
quickly than you may be used to. However, it is important to remember you should only
be taking half the number of credits at any given time, so your overall workload per
term will be comparable to a semester.
Yes, if it is offered, which is another advantage of 8-week terms. ACC plans class
schedules a year at a time, so when you register for the fall semester, you will be
able to see what will be offered in the spring semester too. Please contact the Financial
Aid Office to ask how adjusting your schedule will impact your aid.
You will register for all courses (8-week and 16-week) at the start of the semester.
To secure your courses, be sure your financial aid is complete. If you are a new or
returning student after the full-term census and you register for Term 2 courses,
you may still qualify for financial aid by filing your FAFSA.
|